Question regarding changing name

[CHarvey80 72]

Hello everyone!

So here is the quandary.

As it stands my wife has her maiden name and we are approaching the interview part of the process.

We used her maiden name through the process so that she wouldn't be delayed in coming home due to waiting for a replacement passport from Argentina.

We already know that we can get her a new passport once she is here and the rest is no problem except for the green card.

In an attempt to not have to file the I-90 and pay the fee to accomplish this what can be done?

Can she request her new name to be put on the green card at the interview? Will this cause delays in her being able to come home?

Beyond that there is only filing the I-90 as far as I can tell. As I know she can get into trouble if the green card does not reflect the same name as her DL, SSN, etc cards.

Any advice or info is appreciated.

Thank you!

[ndu26 114]

someone please correct me but I do not htink she will get into trouble if her GC does not reflect the same last name as on her DL SSN etc once she has theMarriage cert toshow she is the same person.

The GC processing is initiated from the POE and I do not think they use a different name from what is in her passport visa.

if you have been married less than 2years then she will get a conditional Gc anyway, she can then initiate the request to change last name on the GC during ROC for her 10 years GC.

[CHarvey80 72]

Thank you for your response ndu26.

If we wait till ROC to change her name on the GC what will happen when we travel to any international locations? Would she have to have a copy of the marriage cert with her at all times?

I just want to make sure my wife and I will be able to travel without issues and that she isn't going to get into trouble or have issues if your GC does not reflect her married name pre-ROC.

[NikLR 13,227]

To be honest I would wait to change her name on her passport until it expires or until you're close to the time to get the updated green card. She could try to just travel with her marriage certificate as well but this might be a question best asked of US Customs and Border Patrol. Either call them ahead of time (make sure to get the name of the person you talk to and it's probably best to ask to speak with a supervisor)or wait and inquire at POE of the best route she should take.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello everyone!

So here is the quandary.

As it stands my wife has her maiden name and we are approaching the interview part of the process.

We used her maiden name through the process so that she wouldn't be delayed in coming home due to waiting for a replacement passport from Argentina.

We already know that we can get her a new passport once she is here and the rest is no problem except for the green card.

In an attempt to not have to file the I-90 and pay the fee to accomplish this what can be done?

Can she request her new name to be put on the green card at the interview? Will this cause delays in her being able to come home?

Beyond that there is only filing the I-90 as far as I can tell. As I know she can get into trouble if the green card does not reflect the same name as her DL, SSN, etc cards.

Any advice or info is appreciated.

Thank you!

I would ask at the visa interview if they can make the change before the greencard is issued. Take a new set of DS forms (using married name) to the interview so the visa is issued in the married name if possible. Explain that you didn't understand that the new married name could be used and that is the name she wants to go by.

SSN will be issued initially in her immigration name. The drivers license office will likely require the same of a non-USC, but that is dependent on your state.

She can travel with a maiden name passport until expiration, if she carries her marriage certificate to show the reason for a different name on the greencard or visa. Best to make the international flight reservation in the name on the passport so no problems at the airline counter. I asked that question once at London Heathrow to the man who was announcing to the line that their ticket and passport had to match...what if somebody just got married and their passport is still in the maiden name. He said "we see that all day long here"...they need a marriage license to show. I think it's probably easier to book the ticket in the passport name.

Edited February 11, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Caryh 5,206]

I would ask at the visa interview if they can make the change before the greencard is issued. Take a new set of DS forms (using married name) to the interview so the visa is issued in the married name if possible. Explain that you didn't understand that the new married name could be used and that is the name she wants to go by.

SSN will be issued initially in her immigration name. The drivers license office will likely require the same of a non-USC, but that is dependent on your state.

She can travel with a maiden name passport until expiration, if she carries her marriage certificate to show the reason for a different name on the greencard or visa. Best to make the international flight reservation in the name on the passport so no problems at the airline counter. I asked that question once at London Heathrow to the man who was announcing to the line that their ticket and passport had to match...what if somebody just got married and their passport is still in the maiden name. He said "we see that all day long here"...they need a marriage license to show. I think it's probably easier to book the ticket in the passport name.

:thumbs: :thumbs:

And there's everything the OP needed to know.